Internal backup power device for a computer

• US 5,777,398 A
• Filed: 06/05/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compower Corporation
• Original Assignee: Compower Corporation
• Inventors: Suoranta, Seppo, Valkeakari, Jyrki
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US08/647,895
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 307/66, 307/64, 307/80, 307/150, 301/727, 320/2, 364/492, 364/273-273.5, 364/948.4, 364/948.5, 360/97.01, 360/98.01, 360/99.05, 346/137, 369/75.1
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/188 Mounting of power supply units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/305 in the event of power-supply fluctuations

Abstract

A back-up power device for a microcomputer which can supply back-up power to a microcomputer in the event of a power failure. The power device is installed in a standard disc or hard disc drive slot of the computer. Switches and alarm lights of the power device are visible and accessible to the user without opening the case of the computer. The power device outputs a signal related to its operating status to the computer. The power device also measures the output voltage from the power source of the computer to compensate the voltage drop in the cables between the power device and the computer'"'"'s power supply, and can be programmed to restart the computer after a power break if required.

Claims

1. A back-up power device for installation inside an industrial-standard microcomputer which supplies electricity to the microcomputer upon occurrence of a normal external power failure, wherein the device is sized to fit in a standard disc or hard disc drive slot of the microcomputer, the device comprising:

an energy store separate from a power source of said microcomputer; and

fastening means for fastening the device in a standard disc or hard disc drive slot of said microcomputer.

2. A back-up power device as recited in claim 1, the device further comprising:

at least one control switch; and

at least one alarm light,

wherein said at least one control switch and said at least one alarm light are visible and available to a user of said microcomputer without opening a case of said microcomputer.

3. A back-up power device as recited in claim 1, wherein a signal representing an operating status of said device is provided to said microcomputer.

4. A back-up power device as recited in claim 1, wherein said back-up power device measures an output voltage from the power source of said microcomputer.

5. A back-up power device as recited in claim 4, wherein said output voltage is regulated on the basis of said measurement.

6. A back-up power device as recited in claim 1, wherein said back-up power device is programmed to restart said microcomputer after the occurrence of a power break to said microcomputer.

8. A back-up power device as recited in claim 3, the device further comprising:

means for providing a signal from the device, representing an operating status of the device, to said microcomputer.

9. A back-up power device as recited in claim 3, the device further comprising:

measuring means for measuring an output voltage from the power source of said microcomputer; and

regulating means coupled to said measuring means, for regulating the output voltage on the basis of said measurement.

10. A back-up power device as recited in claim 3, the device further comprising:

restarting means for restarting the microcomputer after an occurrence of a power break to the microcomputer.

7. A back-up power device for installation inside an industrial-standard microcomputer which supplies electricity to the microcomputer upon occurrence of a normal external power failure, wherein the device is sized to fit in a standard disc or hard disc drive slot of the mircrocomputer, the device comprising:

an energy store separate from a power source of the microcomputer, the energy store providing power to the microcomputer upon occurrence of a power failure;

fastening means for fastening the device in a standard disc or hard disc drive slot of the microcomputer;

at least one control switch for controlling an operation of the device; and

at least one alarm light for indicating an alarm condition of the device,

wherein said at least one control switch and said at least one alarm light are visible and available to a user of said microcomputer without opening a case of said microcomputer.